Seal for floating roofs



,Oct. 31,1933.

C. L. DAY

SEAL FOR FLOATING ROOFS Filed Sept. 29, 1932 a Sheets- Sheet 1 f fl l :1? I

Oct. 31, 1933. c. DAY 1,932,398

I J SEAL FOR FLOATING ROOFS Filed p 29, 1932 s Sheets-Sheet 2 v in" In??? y ifk 9/45 Jig I 7 II I J97 Jgg V a? fa? :II'I" av I,

Oct. 31, 1933. c. 1.. DAY

v SEAL FOR momma ROOF'S Filed Sept. 29, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v IJ// Patented Och 31, 1933 UNITED STATES SEAL FOR FLOATING ROOFS Clayton L. Day, Chicago, 111., assignor to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 29, 1932 Serial No. 635,420

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in seals for floating roof and, more especially, in a seal of that kind, to means for attaching the edge of a flexible sheet to the edge of a stiff memher. For example, in seals for floating roofs, of the character here referred to, a plurality of shoes are frequently employed around the periphery of the roof. The edges of adjacent shoes are somewhat separated and the spaces between the two are ordinarily closed by a flexible seal, for example, a sheet of flexible material, such as fabric or the like. Difliculty has been encountered in attaching the edge of the flexible sheet to the edge of the stiff shoe. By the use of my invention, this attachment can be readily and quickly made and is also so constructed that the flexible fabric can easily be removed for in:- spection, repair or replacement purposes.

My invention may also be employed for attaching the circular fabric seal frequently employed to close the annular space between the upper edge of the floating roof and the upper edges of the shoes.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown a floating roof employing shoes and have shown the invention practised in joining fabric pieces between the edges of adjacent shoes and between the tops of the shoes and the periphery of the roof. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be employed in any case where it is desired to attach the edge of a flexible sheet to the edge of a stiff member.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings-- Figure 1 is a top plan view; Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by the line '7 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a view taken as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 7.

As shown in the drawings, 10 indicates the usual cylindrical tank with oil or other liquid 11 therein. Resting on the surface of the liquid is a floating roof including a central crown or sheet metal portion 12, here shown as supported by the annular pontoon 13. In order to seal the space between the edge of the roof and the wall of the tank 10, there are provided a plurality of segmental seal'sections, hereinafter referred to as shoes, and indicated by 14, 14. The shoes are substantially vertically arranged and have their upper and lower edges 14 and 14 curved inwardly somewhat to assist the shoes in riding over bolt heads, overlapping edges of plates and other unevennesses that there may be on the inner wall surface of the tank.

In the form of device shown, each shoe is provided near its upper edge with an inwardly extending projection or shield 14.

Suitable means are provided for supporting the shoes 14 to permit radial movement thereof, with means for urging the same against the tank wall. Since such means form no part of the present invention, the same need not be described in detail here., It will suflice to say that each shoe is supported by a substantially vertically arranged supporting lever 18 pivotally attached to the roof at 19 near the periphery of the latter. As here shown, the lever 18 is made double, as shown in Fig. 4, so that its feet may be somewhat spread apart circumferentially, as indicated by the two pivot points 19, 19 in Fig. 4. 20 indicates an angular radially arranged shoesupporting arm pivotally carried by the lever 18. This arm is bent at 20 as shown in Fig. 3, said bend being located just outside of and adjacent the pivotal support 21 of the arm 20 on the lever 18.

The shoe 14 is pivotally supported from the outer end of the arm 20 at 22. 23.indicates a connecting bar pivotally connecting the inner end of the shoe-supporting-arm 20 to the roof. 0 A spring 27 has one end attached to the upper end of an extension 18 of the lever 18 and the other end attached to the shoe at 28. This spring urges the shoe outwardly.

The adjacent vertical edges of the shoes 14 are joined by flexible sealing material 17; and adjacent edges of the extension 14 are also joined by similar material. The inner edge of the shield 14 is also joined to the periphery of the roof by a flexible seal 16 which may be similar to the flexible material 17.

My invention may be practiced in connection with attaching the flexible material 1'7 to the edges of the shoes 14 or extensions 14. It may also be used for attaching similar flexible material 16 to the'edge of the rim 50 on the roof and the inner edges of the extensions 14.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, it is necessary to show but one of these attachments and I have chosen to show the fabric 17 as no attached to the vertical edges of the shoes 14. This is disclosed in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. As here shown, each shoe 14 constitutes a stifi member with its edge overlapped by the edge of a flexible sheet 17. In order to'effect the attachment, I provide a row of hooks 51 on the stifi member extending over the flexible sheet. Under these books I place a bar 52 lying over the flexible sheet. I provide means between the hooks and the bar causing the bar to clamp the edge of the flexible sheet against the stifi member. As here shown. such means includes a series of wedges 53, one under each hook. The parts are so proportioned that when the wedges are entirely removed, the bar 52 may be slipped out from under the hooks. 1

, While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be under- I stood that it is capable of many modifications.

Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdisclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to-secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a seal for floatingrroofs, a stiii member with its edge overlapped by the edge of a flexible sheet, a row of hooks on the stifi member exmembers between the hooks and the bar causing the bar to clamp the edge of the flexible sheet against the stiff member.

' CLAYTON L. DAY. 

